My very first and longest friendship has been with Ms. Virginia Fuchs (pronounced Fox). We met in Lake City, Co. I was four years old and she was three years old. There was a wonderful park across the alley from our summer house. I met Virginia in the park, we played together and the friendship started there.
Years later we met in Galveston, We both attended Satori School. It was great to start a new school and have a good friend already there. I remember a few people that were courious about my scars. But I dont remember there being much conflict. Sometimes if a new student came in then my friends and Virginia would rally around me and not allow them to be rude or mean to me.
When we are about 8 and 9 we made a video for Shriner's Burn Institute. It was then I found out more about our first meeting. Virginia's Mom said that when we met Virginia stopped playing touched my face and then went on playing. That pretty much was the most we had ever discussed my burns.
Virginia and I are still very close friends. We have, as with most friendship, had our ups and downs. Through it all she has been a great friend. I never felt different around her. She never stared, gave me ugly looks. She was like other kids that would snear at me, that would say "Eww", "Why does she look like that?" "What is wrong with her face?" I have always been greatful that I had a good friend as a child. I am also glad that we are still good friends.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Home Sweet Home
After returning to the US, I continued to stay at Sally and Joanne's house. I am not sure about the time line but at one point when Joanne was changing my my diaper, I looked up at her and said "Mama". Over the years Sally said she thought I called her mom first but I think most parents joke about that.
At this point Joanne decided to adopt me. We had family visits from a Social Worker, My future siblings and Ms. Nancy were interviewed about adding me to the family. No matter what they may say now, they all wanted me. They had time to get use to me. I talked to the social worker and the judge, I told them I wanted Joanne to be my mom.
Finally, I think it was May 31, 1983, Joanne Mallett was officially the mother of Sara Mallett (formerly Olga Sanchez). I think Mom everyday for changing my name. I think Sara was a good pick. Also when I was adopted I became a US citizen.
I was now part of a huge, funny, loud, crazy, fiercely loyal, loving family.
My Family, Sally (my other mother), Mom (Joanne); Four sisters Rachel (Same Birthday just 18 years apart), Laura, Cathy, Christy; Two brothers Richard(closest in age 13 years older than me), Albert and Ms, Nancy (our housekeeper and my Black Mama).
I am so lucky to have this family. That is part of my struggle with my accident had I never been burned, I would have never been with this family. I have worn these scars since I was tiny but as a child it was hard to understand why people didn't like me because of the scars. Sometimes I still struggle with the stares and looks of disgust.
At this point Joanne decided to adopt me. We had family visits from a Social Worker, My future siblings and Ms. Nancy were interviewed about adding me to the family. No matter what they may say now, they all wanted me. They had time to get use to me. I talked to the social worker and the judge, I told them I wanted Joanne to be my mom.
Finally, I think it was May 31, 1983, Joanne Mallett was officially the mother of Sara Mallett (formerly Olga Sanchez). I think Mom everyday for changing my name. I think Sara was a good pick. Also when I was adopted I became a US citizen.
I was now part of a huge, funny, loud, crazy, fiercely loyal, loving family.
My Family, Sally (my other mother), Mom (Joanne); Four sisters Rachel (Same Birthday just 18 years apart), Laura, Cathy, Christy; Two brothers Richard(closest in age 13 years older than me), Albert and Ms, Nancy (our housekeeper and my Black Mama).
I am so lucky to have this family. That is part of my struggle with my accident had I never been burned, I would have never been with this family. I have worn these scars since I was tiny but as a child it was hard to understand why people didn't like me because of the scars. Sometimes I still struggle with the stares and looks of disgust.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Where I was when that world stop turning? 9/11
I realize that my blog may at times be out of order in the timeline of my life but I felt moved to write about 9/11/01. I am still shocked and surprised that is has been tens years. So much has changed and yet some things I will admit I still don't know or understand. I may never understand them.
9/11/01 : I was a senior in High school. I attended The Grier School in Tyrone, Pa. It was I believe our first or second week of school. I had attended the morning assembly and then went to my room, no first period class. This was before a lot of the social media that was out now. I was on my yahoo messenger and saw some new that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. But I couldn't find anything for certain.
I went to my next class and chat with friends. Most of the school was buzzing about a plane hitting the World Trade Center but it was still a rumor then. I remember my Math class was in the library. I still to this day can't remember why there was a TV in the assembly room? The TV was on and we peeked out of the library to see any news. Then we saw the attacks were real.
My classmates and I ran to the assembly room and watched in shock. As seniors we had little sisters (underclass women) that we had been assigned. I remember sitting with one of my little sisters as she sobbed wacthing the news. I don't know how all or most of the students made it to watch TV. I was hugging my little sister when the first building fell.
I don't remember crying or sobbing while watching it all happen. I don't remember much from that day just bits and pieces.
Key things I remember from 9/11/01:
1. One of our history teachers telling us about Al-Quida, Osama Bin Ladin, and the history behind the possible reason for the attacks. By no mean justifying the attacks but educating us. Most of us then had no clue who, or what these people were.
2. Glad that I had built close relationships with my classmates. May I still consider close friends.
3. No being able to make calls home. Praying that my family in Texas knew I was safe. Then my brother called the school. To this day I have no clue what he said to the Dean of Students but he was persuasive enough to get her to find me. I just said "Hello?" "Your alright?" he said "Yes I am ok" I said. That was all he needed to hear and the same for me.
4. I knew how great fireman. EMS, police, first responders were before the attacks. On that day I knew they would do anything to save one life. I still thank God for people that brave and selfless. I also pray for the families that lost so many dear loved ones.
5. Weeks after 9/11/01 I saw the darker side of our country, hate. Hate for Muslims, hate for people that may or may not be from the same ethnic decent as the hijackers and hate that imprisoned my best friends. I was ans still am close friends to 4 amazing girls from Saudi Arabia. A few weeks after the attacks I went with the girls into the local town to buy groceries and such. I remember my friends having concern that someone might attack them. I remember walking with them and having a male teacher from school follow us just in case. These girls had done nothing wrong. I was angry, scared, hurt. I had never experienced that before I pray it doesn't happen again.
6. I remember how proud and honored I felt to be an American. I felt I could learn more about other cultures and religions from this awful attack. Instead of hating those I didn't understand I wanted to learn about them. Figure out where so much hate came from. I haven't found too many answers. Some people just hate and that is not a reflection of all people that pray like them , look like them or even come from the same country as them.
I will never forget 9/11/01, the lessons of love and caring, lessons of hate and fear. I am proud to be an American, I am proud to live in a country were we do not all have to agree but when a bully has our back to the wall, we stand united. Today I will pray for those that lost someone dear to them that day in New York City; Washington D.C.; and Pennsylvania. I will remember to be more great full for everyday that I wake up can tell my loved ones that I love them.
NEVER FORGET 9/11/01
9/11/01 : I was a senior in High school. I attended The Grier School in Tyrone, Pa. It was I believe our first or second week of school. I had attended the morning assembly and then went to my room, no first period class. This was before a lot of the social media that was out now. I was on my yahoo messenger and saw some new that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. But I couldn't find anything for certain.
I went to my next class and chat with friends. Most of the school was buzzing about a plane hitting the World Trade Center but it was still a rumor then. I remember my Math class was in the library. I still to this day can't remember why there was a TV in the assembly room? The TV was on and we peeked out of the library to see any news. Then we saw the attacks were real.
My classmates and I ran to the assembly room and watched in shock. As seniors we had little sisters (underclass women) that we had been assigned. I remember sitting with one of my little sisters as she sobbed wacthing the news. I don't know how all or most of the students made it to watch TV. I was hugging my little sister when the first building fell.
I don't remember crying or sobbing while watching it all happen. I don't remember much from that day just bits and pieces.
Key things I remember from 9/11/01:
1. One of our history teachers telling us about Al-Quida, Osama Bin Ladin, and the history behind the possible reason for the attacks. By no mean justifying the attacks but educating us. Most of us then had no clue who, or what these people were.
2. Glad that I had built close relationships with my classmates. May I still consider close friends.
3. No being able to make calls home. Praying that my family in Texas knew I was safe. Then my brother called the school. To this day I have no clue what he said to the Dean of Students but he was persuasive enough to get her to find me. I just said "Hello?" "Your alright?" he said "Yes I am ok" I said. That was all he needed to hear and the same for me.
4. I knew how great fireman. EMS, police, first responders were before the attacks. On that day I knew they would do anything to save one life. I still thank God for people that brave and selfless. I also pray for the families that lost so many dear loved ones.
5. Weeks after 9/11/01 I saw the darker side of our country, hate. Hate for Muslims, hate for people that may or may not be from the same ethnic decent as the hijackers and hate that imprisoned my best friends. I was ans still am close friends to 4 amazing girls from Saudi Arabia. A few weeks after the attacks I went with the girls into the local town to buy groceries and such. I remember my friends having concern that someone might attack them. I remember walking with them and having a male teacher from school follow us just in case. These girls had done nothing wrong. I was angry, scared, hurt. I had never experienced that before I pray it doesn't happen again.
6. I remember how proud and honored I felt to be an American. I felt I could learn more about other cultures and religions from this awful attack. Instead of hating those I didn't understand I wanted to learn about them. Figure out where so much hate came from. I haven't found too many answers. Some people just hate and that is not a reflection of all people that pray like them , look like them or even come from the same country as them.
I will never forget 9/11/01, the lessons of love and caring, lessons of hate and fear. I am proud to be an American, I am proud to live in a country were we do not all have to agree but when a bully has our back to the wall, we stand united. Today I will pray for those that lost someone dear to them that day in New York City; Washington D.C.; and Pennsylvania. I will remember to be more great full for everyday that I wake up can tell my loved ones that I love them.
NEVER FORGET 9/11/01
Friday, September 9, 2011
First Things First..
Hi. my name is Sara.
Well first things first a small disclaimer: this is my own personal story of being a Burn Survivor. My story is not the same as another persons. I am not speaking for all burn survivors. This is just about me, my life, my trials and tribulations. I will talk about anything from being a survivor to day to day junk I deal with. I may curse at times and may talk about things that are painful but this is all part of my journey. It has been an interesting trip.
I was born in Honduras in December 1982. Two weeks later my life changed forever. The story of my accident is what I have been told since I was little. I was asleep in my hammock and my nephew or brother was playing with a blanket. The blanket caught fire from a candle near by. He got scared and throw the blanket.
The blanket landed on my hammock and burned my right arm, head, face, and left hand.
I don't remember any of this. I don't remember my biological mother saving me, the hospital or being sent to Shriner's Burns Hospital in Galveston, Texas.
I arrived at Shriner's and was treated by a great doctor Dr. Sally Abston. She treated me for the next year or so, she would also take me home on weekends. Who knew this would lead to my new home.
After being at Shriner's for a year I was sent back to Honduras but I couldn't handle the food or bugs. My biological father realized that to give me a chance at life he would need to give me up. He signed over his parental rights and I was sent back to the US.
Well first things first a small disclaimer: this is my own personal story of being a Burn Survivor. My story is not the same as another persons. I am not speaking for all burn survivors. This is just about me, my life, my trials and tribulations. I will talk about anything from being a survivor to day to day junk I deal with. I may curse at times and may talk about things that are painful but this is all part of my journey. It has been an interesting trip.
I was born in Honduras in December 1982. Two weeks later my life changed forever. The story of my accident is what I have been told since I was little. I was asleep in my hammock and my nephew or brother was playing with a blanket. The blanket caught fire from a candle near by. He got scared and throw the blanket.
The blanket landed on my hammock and burned my right arm, head, face, and left hand.
I don't remember any of this. I don't remember my biological mother saving me, the hospital or being sent to Shriner's Burns Hospital in Galveston, Texas.
I arrived at Shriner's and was treated by a great doctor Dr. Sally Abston. She treated me for the next year or so, she would also take me home on weekends. Who knew this would lead to my new home.
After being at Shriner's for a year I was sent back to Honduras but I couldn't handle the food or bugs. My biological father realized that to give me a chance at life he would need to give me up. He signed over his parental rights and I was sent back to the US.
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